Primary challengers to former IDC members put out agenda

The State Senate chamber in Albany (Jefferson Siegel/New York Daily News)

The seven primary challengers to group of breakaway state Senate Democrats who recently returned to the party fold are releasing a 12-point agenda they want passed should the Dems take control of the chamber after two critical special election on Tuesday.

"If this legislation does not pass, we will know for certain that the IDC's claim of 'Democratic unity' was another empty promise," the seven said in a joint statement. "We will not settle for a few token bills to create the illusion of Democratic leadership—we demand passage of this full progressive legislative agenda:

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Their agenda includes electoral reforms like early voting, a strengthening of the state abortion laws, creation of a single-payer health care system, criminal justice changes like an end to cash bail, passage of the Child Victims Act, enactment of pro-immigration measures like creation of a state DREAM Act and the issuance of drivers' licenses to undocumented immigrants.

The seven also called for pro-tenant rent law reforms, enactment of a single statewide $15 minimum wage, a 10-day waiting period for gun purchases, and an expansion of speed cameras in the city.

"We call on the Independent Democratic Conference to prove their worth and deliver for the working people of New York State following the New York State special elections," the primary challengers said.

But even if the Dems pick up both seats in Tuesday's special elections, they still might not control the chamber because Simcha Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat, continues to caucus with the Republicans, who would still have the majority.

Felder hasn't tipped his hand about what he will do, though he hasn't ruled out going back to the Democrats. But some note that many items on the seven primary challengers' agenda are issues Felder opposes, which could make it harder to get him to return to the fold.

"All of these issues are not new—they're already part of the Democratic agenda," said one source.

The seven candidates are Alessandra Biaggi, who is taking on Bronx Sen. Jeffrey Klein, who headed the IDC and is now Senate Democratic deputy leader; Jessica Ramos, who is challenging Queens Sen. Jose Peralta; Robert Jackson, who is taking on Manhattan Sen. Marisol Alcantara; Rachel May, who is challenging Syracuse Sen. David Valesky; Zellnor Myrie, who is facing off against Brooklyn Sen. Jesse Hamilton; Jasmine Robinson, who is opposing State Island Sen. Diane Savino; and John Duane, who is taking on Queens Sen. Tony Avella.